Dubai

As I type this, our cruise ship, the Arcadia, is just leaving the Persian Gulf and is about to enter the Gulf of Oman. After this, we will be heading into the Arabian Sea and later the Red Sea. Acknowledging the different oceans, seas and gulfs that one must traverse in order to reach our destination has just been one more fascinating aspect of this cruising life.

A few days ago we awoke one morning – threw open our curtains and there in front of us was the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa. Talk about an awe-inspiring wake up call! The sky was a never-ending expanse of azure blue, and the continuous sight of arriving and departing airplanes was testament to the popularity of the city.

After a quick breakfast of fruit, toast and coffee, it was down the gangplank, through customs and all aboard a red hop on hop off bus conveniently stationed at the wharf. Deciding whether to go it alone in Dubai using the red bus service or partake in an organised excursion had been a no-brainer. Dubai has a lot to offer, and no one organised excursion was going to cover it all. Earphones in and first stop was Dubai Mall – the largest shopping center in the world located at the foot of the tallest building in the world. We didn’t hang around here but rather jumped on another bus which whisked us off to first Dubai Museum and later the Gold, Old and Spice Souks.

Souks are markets and the Gold Souk contained shop after shop after shop dripping with gold jewelry. Alongside the Souks was a river afloat with ancient looking Abras (water taxis). Boarding one of these, we were transported up and across the river alighting not far from a great-looking hotel where we partook in a huge platter of traditional local dishes such as hareis and matchbous. It was then back aboard the bus passing through such areas as the heritage village and many other attractions before finishing again at the Dubai Mall. Due to Darryl’s physical limitations, we did forgo the stops to the man made Palm and World Islands and the seven star Burj Al Arab hotel – these can be done next time!

Entering the Dubai mall, our sight was immediately captivated first by the three story high aquarium filled with sharks, turtles, other exotic water creatures and scuba divers and then by the mega sized “cheesecake factory”! Dubai’s’ initial wealth came from the discovery of oil as little as 50 years ago. Before this, Dubai was little more than a collection of Bedouin settlements around a creek. Its growth to a modern city full of skyscrapers has been dramatic. Aware that the oil is finite -Dubai has increasingly grown its tourism market – hence the “biggest in the world things” and the sky full of planes.

Walking through the mall among the Abaya covered women, and the Dasha clothed men – I had the conscious thought that I felt very comfortable here. I felt welcomed, included and not ostracized, which I feel does happen when the reverse happens – covered Muslim women walking in Australian shopping malls. After again being mesmerized by the sheer majesty of the Burj Khalifa, it was back aboard the bus and back to the port. Our lovely, comfortable, air-conditioned cabin was gratefully received by two weary, appreciative travelers.